Law

Some university fees voluntary; like lawyers, students don't have to fund objectionable speech, court rules

Article Abstract:

The California Supreme Court held in Smith. v. Regents that forcing state university students to subsidize political causes with their student fees unduly burdened their rights to freedom of speech and of association. The judges stated that they were following Keller v State Bar, finding that forcing lawyers to fund politics with their bar association dues was akin to forcing students to do the same with student fees. Smith is an anomaly in the few lawsuits over student fees, since most have stated that schools can spend these fees as they wish.

Membership in lawyers auxiliaries is decreasing nationwide. These organizations traditionally focus their volunteer work on law-related education, however, the fact that some still engage in stereotypically female pursuits such as teas and fashion shows may explain lack of interest in them. Other factors may include reluctance to spend money on dues due to the recession and working mothers' lack of time for volunteer work.